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BUSINESS NEWS AECOM AND TRIMBLE PIONEERING USE OF MIXED-REALITY TECHNOLOGY FOR ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION AECOM and Trimble are collaborating on the world’s first use of Microsoft HoloLens “mixed-reality” technology for engineering and construction. AECOM has launched a pilot program with Trimble to apply the technology to projects on three continents. Through a headset, HoloLens technology adds holograms of 3-D objects into a user’s view, allowing interaction with these virtual objects as if they were present. Trimble’s innovative mixed- reality solutions allow AECOM to feed 3-D engineering models into the HoloLens world, including models of large or complex projects. AECOM is deploying HoloLens devices and Trimble technologies to real-world projects, including the Serpentine Galleries’ annual architecture program in London. The mixed- reality technology supplements conventional working practices and improves communication, collaboration, and visualization. “Exploring complex structures in a mixed-reality environment has huge potential to accelerate the engineering design process,” said AECOM President Stephen Kadenacy. “With this technology we can gain greater clarity earlier in the design review process than with 2-D drawings or 3-D models on screen, and team members in different locations, each wearing a headset, can simultaneously explore the same holographic projections. We’re very excited to be working with Trimble at the cutting edge of mixed reality.” With the Serpentine Galleries, AECOM and Trimble pioneered the application of HoloLens- enabled technology to the built environment.

This year the Serpentine Galleries’ program includes four Summer Houses with complex, unconventional structures and the new technology has aided in visualization and design review. “As an early adopter of Microsoft HoloLens, AECOM is already demonstrating the value of mixed reality in the architecture, engineering and construction industry,” said Bryn Fosburgh, Trimble’s vice president. “Aided by Trimble solutions and the HoloLens in a business setting, the company is learning first-hand how the technology can improve efficiency and enable effective collaboration throughout the design process.” With Trimble solutions, AECOM designers and engineers can view a complex structure as if it were a 3-D model placed on a table, or zoom in for a 1:1 view that simulates what it would be like to move through its structural framework. This shared experience allows team members to physically point out potential difficulties or unforeseen conflicts in an evolving design. Trimble’s solutions allow participants to log observations and create a group action plan during the session. As part of Trimble’s Mixed-Reality Pilot Program, AECOM is deploying HoloLens devices in London, Hong Kong, and Denver. Engineers and architects in these different continents can share the same holographic models simultaneously, with their movements and interactions linked together via the internet connected by Trimble solutions.

1200 North College Ave. Fayetteville, AR 72703 Mark Zweig | Publisher mzweig@zweiggroup.com Richard Massey | Managing Editor rmassey@zweiggroup.com Christina Zweig | Contributing Editor christinaz@zweiggroup.com Sara Parkman | Editor and Designer sparkman@zweiggroup.com Megan Halbert | Design Assistant mhalbert@zweiggroup.com Liisa Andreassen | Correspondent landreassen@zweiggroup.com Tel: 800-466-6275 Fax: 800-842-1560 Email: info@zweiggroup.com Online: www.thezweigletter.com Twitter: twitter.com/zweigletter Blog: blog.zweiggroup.com

MARK ZWEIG, from page 1

procedures. There’s a science to this stuff. We have written a million articles on it as have many others. Do certain things and you’ll get paid faster. Don’t do those things and you won’t get paid. Don’t over-complicate it and don’t act like you are the first firm in the world to deal with this problem. You aren’t! There’s a process you need to follow. Your bills need to look a certain way. Certain things should generally happen at certain times. And by the way – don’t let any principal who wants to stop the process stop it. That’s bull. This week’s issue is all about our Hot Firms and Best Firms to Work For. These companies are generally much better business people than the norm for our industry. Look at how they do things. Copy. Repeat. And then maybe we can all be partying together at next year’s Black Tie Dinner and our Hot Firm Conference and A/E Industry Awards Conference (we’re at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix this year!). Meanwhile, collect your money!! MARK ZWEIG is Zweig Group’s founder and CEO. Contact him at mzweig@zweiggroup.com.

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TALK TO US Do you have an interesting story to tell? Is your company doing things differently and getting results? Let us know. We’d love to contact you and feature you in an upcoming case study. If interested, please email rmassey@zweiggroup. com.

THE ZWEIG LETTER August 1, 2016, ISSUE 1162

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